2025 | United Kingdom, USA, Ethiopia, South Africa, France, Switzerland | Documentary

Live Aid at 40 - When Rock'N'Roll Took on the World

  • English English 60 mins
  • Director | Tom Pollard
  • Writer | -
  • Producer | Angus Macqueen

STATUS: Released

This film is currently not available.   

On 23 October 1984, a BBC News report on the widespread famine in Ethiopia shocked British audiences. Journalist Michael Buerk’s coverage of what was unfolding across the country was seen by Bob Geldof, who felt that he needed to do more than watch the devastation on his TV. Along with Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, Geldof sought to galvanize the musicians he knew into action. The result was the 1984 Christmas single 'Do They Know It's Christmas', followed some six months later by Live Aid. This three-part film charts what took place, with the first part screening at DocFest focussing on that initial report and the response to it. A fascinating account of recent history, it is also an incisive portrait of a movement intended to incite rapid, life-saving change.

Activism Music Humanitarianism Concerts Global
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